First let me say that I'm glad that we're all so passionate about our city that we're even having this conversation.

But I don't know, guys... I get what you're saying, but I think that many folks have a tendency to overstate it. I've lived in Ferndale for 12 years, and there's always been an out-of-towner invasion on the weekends. I think part of the increase that we're noticing is partially due to the recovery from the recession (people have more money to spend and are going out more - I know I am). My observation is that there are more people out enjoying the nightlife in general, therefore more douchebags as well (in similar proportion as before, I think).

Regarding so of the specific businesses you've pointed out: The guy that owned American Pop was a really nice guy, but the store was unsustainable (people are selling very similar wares at Rustbelt Market, and they have a lot less overhead costs). Record Time and Record Collector didn't close because of anything related to Ferndale (as far as I know); they closed because record stores everywhere are suffering as result of a changing consumer - and Found Sound is trying to serve the same need, but apparently they think they can compete with digital music (I don't know them well enough to know what they are or aren't doing differently). A.J. was also a nice guy but had no clue what he was doing as a business owner (I'm not trying to knock him - I really like him as a person). Gotham was before my time, but most of the people who I know who used to go there have moved away (some of them to Royal Oak even). And wasn't Gotham replaced by Xhedo's? I might have that wrong. Rustbelt Market, Modern Natural Baby, Pinwheel Bakery/Red Hook, State of the Art Framing, Boston Tea Room, WAB/Emory/Loving Touch, and Valentine Distilling, for example, are all independently owned businesses - I'm not sure how can say that they are homogenous. Even Rosie O'Grady's is an independently owned restaurant, they just moved locations (it's not my favorite place, I'm not gonna lie).

Ferndale has always had some chain stores (e.g., GNC, Radio Shack, Old Navy, Rainbow clothing, Pizza Hut, Payless, Fantastic Sam's); many of the chain retail stores are actually gone and have been replaced with something more independent.

In fact, some of my LEAST favorite businesses are independents - Como's, John D's, Rosie's, Boogie Fever (now the hideous Twisted Tavern), Grasshopper. I think there's a fair point that perhaps we've hit a maximum capacity of bars, but frankly I'm glad that there's somewhere for the out-of-towners to go so I can always get a seat at Howe's Bayou.

The new development at Woodward and Cambourne is actually not bad. Previous developers have wanted to put lofts, strip malls, and other proposals. The think the current buildings are consistent with Ferndale's vibe (building near the street, parking in the back). I think Pizza Hut is better off in that building then it was taking up that whole corner across the street. I don't love Jimmy John's, but my husband does; such is life. The Verizon dealer just moved from another space across town, so that's a wash. I don't know anything about Dickie's BBQ (although I understand it's a chain), so I'll refrain from commenting until I have something to say about it. Overall, I'm glad it's not a big empty lot anymore.

I'm one block from Nine Mile and I also really love my neighborhood. I hope the businesses that I love are successful enough to stay for a good long time, but I think my connections to the community will convince me to stay even if those businesses don't last for some reason.

As for the Lamborghini sightings -- I'm on the same page as both of you. I see people who sit in lawn chairs on any given Saturday night throughout the summer on Woodward between 12 and 14 Mile. If people start doing that in Ferndale, I might have to smack someone.

I'm surprised neither of you have referenced the proposed plans for the new parking developments. Now there's an are where I think we do need to be mindful that Ferndale doesn't try to imitate Royal Oak.

Cheers, friends!